ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State women's soccer team kicks off the 2018 season with a pair of Labor Day Weekend contests against Great Lakes Valley Conference, in-region foes, that include a perennial NCAA Tournament contender and darkhorse up-and-comer. The Lakers open the year at home for the first time since 2014 when they host the Bellarmine Knights on Friday (Aug. 31) at 4:00 PM then take on the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons Sunday (Sept. 2) at 12:00 PM.
 
It may have taken four years for the Lakers to start the year at home, but they are making up for lost time with six straight home matches to open the year. GVSU has earned a reputation of domination in Allendale, too. Head coach Jeff Hosler enters his fifth season at the helm of the GVSU soccer squad with a 50-2 record on the Lakers home turf.

"You are always looking forward to the season opener, but to do it at home and to continue playing some of the top teams in the country to start the season makes it extra special," Hosler said.
 
The Lakers hope some home cooking will help serve some revenge in a rematch with Bellarmine. The Lakers are now 3-1 all-time against the Knights after falling to them in overtime in last year's season opener. Bellarmine would end the season 8-4-7 with a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Quincy. The Knights are picked third in the GLVC in the preseason coaches' poll. A defensively predicated club, Bellarmine conceded just eight goals a year ago, but scored only 16. The compact style and tactical patience may prove as a challenge for the reloaded Lakers, who have grown accustomed to dominating possession.
 
UMSL has been tabbed for an 11^th place finish in their conference, but the Lakers are wary of the team's 3-1 record to close out last season. Last season's leading scorer, Lexi Norton, returns for her senior year to lead an experienced squad that looks to outperform expectations and return to the NCAA Tournament for a third time in four years. Overall, the Lakers are 4-4 against the Tritons in series history, with UMSL winning the first four meetings but the Lakers earning wins in each of the last four.

"We are going to continue to learn a lot about ourselves this weekend and playing this level of competition will certainly give us some clear ideas of focus moving forward," said Hosler.
 
The new-look, reloaded Lakers aim to get their season off and running on a positive note and welcome solid in-region talent to do it. Despite the season just getting started, these first two games carry NCAA Tournament implications. With so many new parts, the Lakers will try to learn on the fly and start off on the right foot in their quest for a tenth straight NCAA Elite Eight appearance.